We arrived on October 30, 2008 in Manly, where we intended to spend cyclone season to conclude our Pacific crossing.

On arrival, we were boarded by poorly trained quarantine officers, who appeared surprisingly unfamiliar with yachts arriving with pets on board. We were told that there were no berths available. We contacted the other marinas in the Brisbane area but they all replied they were at full capacity. We accommodated ourselves on a mooring in Manly’s harbor which had been vacated as they were being removed. This arrangement was much cheaper than the marina which would have cost $75/day but it came with no facilities. However, after much negotiation with East Coast Marina, they finally let us use their facilities at a weekly fee.

We have visited the surrounding yacht clubs, who appeared to be at full capacity as well. Some of them have shops on their premises but they will refuse to help you if you are not a member. We were kicked out of Manly on February 28 as the Brisbane Port Authorities were removing the remaining moorings and we moved to the only practicable anchorage in the area which is downtown Brisbane City near the Botanical gardens.

The moorings are almost all taken by local liveaboards and the Brisbane Port Authority doesn’t take any reservations. You won’t get access to any facilities either, this was our first port halfway across the globe where not even tap water was made available to us.

The anchorage is overcrowded and one might find it difficult to find a space as boats are swinging widely in the river. The police will ask you to move whenever they get a complaint from the Ferry Companies.

Water and an address to get mail sent might be a problem. Australia is the most expensive country visited so far, with the cost of living above Tahiti’s. Local chandlers are very expensive and poorly stocked but foreign yachts are allowed to import items duty-free which are readily available much cheaper overseas.

As for water, you may want to talk to someone moored in the palings with a key in order to gain access to some kind of facilities.

Another solution is to become a member of a gym club such as “Fitness First” on Adelaide street. For $25/week, you will have access to well-kept shower facilities, towels, ironing, TV, free DVD’s and on top of that you will be able to keep yourself in shape!

We found out that the Stamford Plaza Hotel next to the Botanical gardens was a very convenient address. Just inform the concierge beforehand as he might be puzzled why one of his guests is getting anything like sails or rigging parts sent to the Hotel.

Denis & Maria

Catamaran Lagoon 380 “Theis”

Phuket – Thailand